Margate to Bournemouth bus with National Express

Fri 11 Sept
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Avanza
2,000+ travel companies
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Travel Information

Compare coach for Margate to Bournemouth

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Margate to Bournemouth among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £21 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 6h 21m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £21, while a coach costs an average of £21.

Distance: 240 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Driving

£21

Average Price

Cheapest

£47

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

6h 21m

Average total duration

Fastest

5h 51m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 11m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Margate to Bournemouth is a coach with an average price of £21.
The fastest way to travel from Margate to Bournemouth is by train with an average journey time of 3h 53m.

Other travel options to Bournemouth take longer:

Coach takes on average 5h 51m.

Yes, you can take a coach between Margate and Bournemouth.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £21 compared to roughly £47 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £26. The journey takes 5h 51m versus 3h 11m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.

Why should you book Margate to Bournemouth coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Margate to Bournemouth.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Margate to Bournemouth.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Margate to Bournemouth

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Margate to Bournemouth run on average 7 times per day, taking around 5h 51m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £21 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 02:35, the last at 20:39. The fastest coach covers the 240 km distance in 5h 45m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
240 km
Average bus duration
5h 51m
Cheapest ticket price
£21
Buses per day
7
Fastest bus
5h 45m
First bus
2:35
Last bus
20:39
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Fri
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express from Margate to BournemouthYou can travel by bus between Margate to Bournemouth with National Express for as low as £21. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
5h 45m
Cheapest National Express Price
£21
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

What's included in each class

Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.

Standard
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs

Complete guide to Bournemouth

Things to do in Bournemouth

Discover the best of Bournemouth — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bournemouth trip today.

  • Must visit

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Town-centre museum with local history, archaeology and changing exhibitions in a Victorian villa beside Bournemouth's gardens.

  • Recommended

Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre

Small local museum on Hengistbury Head covering archaeology, wildlife and the headland's long human history in a scenic coastal setting.

The Gallery at The Library

Free gallery inside Bournemouth Library showing contemporary art exhibitions, talks and touring displays in a central location.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK seaside resort. Hotels rise in summer, but dining and local buses are usually cheaper than in London or Bath.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a casual meal.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is typical if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and small change is fine in cafés.

FAQs: Margate to Bournemouth coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Margate to Bournemouth by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bournemouth, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Margate to Bournemouth can start from as little as £21 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Margate to Bournemouth is £21; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Margate to Bournemouth is 5h 45m to travel the 240 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Margate to Bournemouth leaves at 2:35. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Margate to Bournemouth leaves at 20:39.
There are 7 coaches a day from Margate to Bournemouth which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Margate to Bournemouth, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Bournemouth. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Margate and Bournemouth and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Bournemouth from Margate is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 45m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Margate to Bournemouth is July.
Yes, you can take a coach between Margate and Bournemouth.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Margate to Bournemouth:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Margate to Bournemouth for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Margate to Bournemouth depends on the coach companies:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Margate to Bournemouth.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Margate to Bournemouth:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Margate to Bournemouth:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Margate to Bournemouth.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Margate to Bournemouth with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Margate to Bournemouth with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Margate to Bournemouth with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Margate and Bournemouth

Most Margate to Bournemouth buses use the Margate, Marine Terrace to Bournemouth, Coach Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Margate and Bournemouth bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Margate
Arrival bus stations in Bournemouth

Which Margate station do buses to Bournemouth leave from?

Buses from Margate to Bournemouth leave from Margate, Marine Terrace. The station is 1 km from Margate city centre at Margate, Station Approach, Margate CT9 5AD, UK.
Margate, Marine TerraceMargate, Station Approach, Margate CT9 5AD, UKWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Margate, Marine Terrace from Margate city centre

Bus35 · 7m
944, 8 · 10m · £3 · every ~4 min

Margate, Marine Terrace bus station facilities and services

Margate, Marine Terrace has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Margate, Marine Terrace. ATMs are available at Margate, Marine Terrace.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Margate, Marine Terrace.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Margate, Marine Terrace: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Margate, Marine Terrace: The station is accessible for wheelchair users.

Cliftonville, Northdown RoadNorthdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9, UKWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Cliftonville, Northdown Road from Margate city centre

Cliftonville, Northdown Road is 1 km from Margate city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus8A, 960 · 14m · £3 · every ~5 min

Cliftonville, Northdown Road bus station facilities and services

Cliftonville, Northdown Road has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Cliftonville, Northdown Road. ATMs are available at Cliftonville, Northdown Road.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Cliftonville, Northdown Road.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Cliftonville, Northdown Road: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Cliftonville, Northdown Road: Accessible for persons with mobility impairments.

Margate, Cliftonville Darwin Court
City-centre transport

Getting to Margate, Cliftonville Darwin Court from Margate city centre

Bus69 · 9m · £3 · every ~2 min

More options for your journey from Margate to Bournemouth

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